The Twelve Days Of Christmas

Background: While I was anchoring the 11p.m. news on KPIC-TV one evening in the 1990s, I made the following faux pas. But learning from one's mistakes can open up new possibilities, as did this one. Afterwards, I did several news stories at KPIC-TV, KOBI-TV, and KMTR-TV, based on what I learned from Bob Robins.

     Years ago, I made the mistake of saying December 25th marks the end of the Christmas holiday season. Former Oakland school district music teacher Robert Robins quickly pointed out to me my error.
     For millions of Catholics, Lutherans, Episcopalians, and other Protestant denominations around the world, December 25th marks the BEGINNING of the Christmas season. While some folks may mistakenly believe the "Twelve days of Christmas" amounts to nothing more than song featuring a partridge in a pear tree...the origin of the "Twelve Days of Christmas" is actually a religious reference to December 25th through January sixth, the day of the epiphany.
     It's easy for the average "un"churched person to become confused or misled. All around us we see evidence that people can't wait to dispense with the Christmas season. Many Christmas trees are hastily dismantled on the 25th, and quickly taken to the garbage dump the next day. But at the Robins' household in Roseburg...as well as numerous other homes that still recognize the true origins of Christmas...the Christmas trees are not decorated until December 24th and 25th.
     Catholics and some Protestants map out the days of the year in accordance with Jesus Christ's lifespan on earth. December 25th obviously commemorates Christ's birth. Several months later, Easter commemorates when Christ was killed some 30 years later and arose from the dead.
     That's why Christmas trees, holiday ornaments, the nativity creche, and other religious symbols remain visible in some households through January sixth. The "Twelve Days of Christmas" celebrates a period of time between Christ's birth, and the time spent by shepherds and wisemen traveling a long distance to see the baby.
     I found the Robins' living room Christmas display especially interesting. They would move the nativity symbols each day during the twelve days of Christmas, to recognize the passage of time. For example, the wisemen and shepherds who were not present at Christ's birth, would be placed on the opposite side of the living room on December 25th. As the twelve days of Christmas progressed, the Robins would move the figures closer to the nativity manger, until everyone was present at the manger on January sixth.
     Different people have different religious beliefs, which is why I'm not bothered (too much) to see people in a rush to throw away their Christmas trees and take down their lights on December 25th. But I do have to ask myself what motivates some people to "steal" a religous observance like the twelve days of Christmas, and turn it into something completely different for personal gain.
     I'm referring to businesses that exploit the holiday season with sales gimmicks like the "Twelve Days of Christmas" promotion, and conduct it BEFORE December 25th. This year, the Roseburg Town Center held such a sale December 1st-12th.
     I fully understand the need to lure customers into the stores. A majority of businesses make HALF their yearly sales during the Christmas season alone. But if I were a business owner, I don't think I would be desperate enough to alienate God-fearing customers by mocking one of their religious observances.
     I would encourage downtown Roseburg merchants to display a manger scene in their stores, IF they're going to conduct a "Twelve Days of Christmas" celebration. I realize that would alienate the local Jewish community and atheists who don't celebrate Christmas. But if a business is going to observe a religious ritual like the twelve days of Christmas during the holidays, it would be nice if they would do it in a respectful manner.
     Otherwise, why not have a "Twenty-five days of Christmas" sale from December first through December 25th? You wouldn't be breaking any religious taboos with such a sale...and you might actually sell more merchandise by having a sale that lasts twice as long!